Midland's water security at stake amid wastewater disposal debate
In a bold move, Midland, Texas, is challenging the approval of oil and gas industry wastewater disposal wells near its vital water source.
Vernon Loeb reports for Inside Climate News.
In short:
- Midland contests permits for wastewater wells near its drinking water source, fearing contamination.
- The city's challenge, accepted by Texas regulators, underscores the tension between oil industry demands and environmental safety.
- A hearing is set for January 2024, spotlighting the broader issue of wastewater disposal in oil-rich regions.
Key quote:
“I think the dangerous part of the architecture is not so much the disposal well. . . it's probably old aging infrastructure that might be in place from the sixties and seventies that’s still operating.”
— Laura Capper, principal consultant for EnergyMakers Advisory Group in Houston.
Why this matters:
This case could set a precedent for how cities safeguard their water resources against industrial threats, a crucial aspect of public health.
Did you know? Chemicals from fracking wastewater dumped into Pennsylvania's Allegheny River continued accumulating in freshwater mussels five years later.
Question for the reader:
How should cities balance industrial development with environmental protection, especially concerning water safety?
AI-based tools helped produce this text, with human oversight and editing.
